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Liverpool transfer news: Jurgen Klopp admits club are struggling to tie Emre Can down to new deal as Europe giants brace themselves for contract talks

Germany international is out of contract in the summer despite the Reds' attempt to lure him with a pay rise

LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp has conceded that Emre Can could leave the club for nothing in the summer.

The Germany international has been locked in negotiations to extend his contract which expires at the end of the season.

 Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits Emre Can is increasingly likely to leave the club
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits Emre Can is increasingly likely to leave the clubCredit: Rex Features

Europe's biggest clubs can hold talks with Can in January with Italian champions Juventus set to reignite their interest.

But Klopp insists the prospect of losing the 23-year-old "isn't a big problem" although admits he and the club have to "respect an ending contract."

When asked whether Can will agree a pre-contract with a European side in the New Year, the Reds boss said: "If it happens like this, we cannot change this.

"If there's a player out there with a contract ending next summer and he's good, like Emre obviously is, then we should try to do the same. That's an opportunity for all of us.

 Emre Can is free to talk to European clubs in January with Juventus braced to reignite their interest
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Emre Can is free to talk to European clubs in January with Juventus braced to reignite their interestCredit: Rex Features
 Emre Can has held showdown talks with Liverpool to extend his deal but to no avail
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Emre Can has held showdown talks with Liverpool to extend his deal but to no availCredit: Getty - Contributor

"What could I do now? I could say it's a big problem, but it isn't.

"I could say "we have to sort this now", put pressure on the player, put pressure on the club. People are not concerned anymore and then they are angry, it makes no sense.


MANE MAN Sadio Mane will return for Liverpool in Premier League clash with West Ham


"We have to respect an ending contract. If a contract ends there are two sides that could have done things differently: one side is the club, the other is the player.

"Now we've talked already too much about it. It's a normal situation."

 The Germany star has been an integral figure under Jurgen Klopp with 12 appearances in all competitions
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The Germany star has been an integral figure under Jurgen Klopp with 12 appearances in all competitionsCredit: Reuters
 Sadio Mane will return for Liverpool on Saturday against West Ham
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Sadio Mane will return for Liverpool on Saturday against West HamCredit: PA:Empics Sport

Meanwhile Sadio Mane is braced to return to action when Liverpool travel to West Ham on Saturday.

The Senegal star has missed the last five matches with a hamstring injury and Klopp hinted that he could see 20 or 25 minutes.

He said: "Sadio trained yesterday for the first time with the team and looked really, really good.

"We'll see what we do with that. He could be ready for 20 or 25 minutes."

Full Saturday Premier League preview including West Ham v Liverpool and Stoke v Leicester
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